The National tribune., 1887-01-27
PEA RIDGE.
Graphic Sketch OF . Hard Fight and Well.uo
Victory.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: wonder If
any members Of the little band Of men known
as the Army Of the Southwest commanded by
Gems. S. r. Curtis and Franz Sigel, are left
alive If so they must be very bashful.
remember they always uere modest; yet many
of them gained fame as lasting as the hills.
Who has not heard Of Jed G. Davis, OF the
Fourteenth Corps, and Of Carr, 0sterhaus
Dodge, Benton, Heron, Nandeyeer, White and
last, but not least, John c. Blacky All these
wore the eagle or leaf in that little army, and
won renOwn IN that fierce struggle known to
history as the Battle of Pea Ridge.
lt was my privilege 10 occupy space IN the
ranks Of Co. Il, 37th ILL.,. during that campaign.
Its incidents are so fresh in nay memory that
j can not realize that almost p years have
passed since then.
Our division commanded by Col. JEFF G.
Davis, consisted of two brigades, the First COM
posed Of the sth, 18th and 22d Ind, commanded
by Col. Benton, aud the Second of the 37th and
59th H., LIST battalion LIST Mo. Cav. and David
sons Peoria Battery, "a, I'd Ill. i. A. Of four
guns Col. Julius White commanding.
Our brigade held portion of the line In the
woods just north of LeetOwn, aud from III a. IN.
uutil after y. m. withstood the fierce assaults
Of McCullochs and McIntosh's Divisions,
where both these Generals were killed while
vainly trying TO break our lines. OF the 600
men in the ranks OF the 37th Ill. when the
fight began but 270 were left. Our ammunition
was all gone and we were compelled TO give
way. Two of the guns of our battery were
captured.
Just at this time the gallant Indiana Brigade
came up on the double-quick and with their
battle cry Of Remember Buena Vista +"
fercely charged the exultant foe, recaptured
our guns, and with the help OF the 35th aud
Seth H., of Sigels Corps, swept that part of the
field clear OF rebels, except the dead and
wounded who lay IN heaps all over the ground.
There was then a lul in the battle for an
hour or more, when il burst with redoubled
fury on the division Of Carr, on our right.
Here the gallant attn and 9th Iowa bore the
brunt Of the fight until darkness put an end to
the awful carnage.
After the enemy had been driven from our
front volunteered to help pick up the wound
ed never did that again, unless some dear
friend was missing. The cries and groans Of
those poor fellows are ringing in my ears yet
We lay On the field that night cold, tired
aud hungry. At peep OF day We were moved
10 the right, and our brigade was seat out in
the Geld Just south Of the Elk Horn Tavern,
with orders TO develop the enemy's position.
Just as the sun rose our battery opened fire.
Our line was formed along rail fence, three
companies Of the 37th Ill. TO the right Of the
battery and the 59th Ill. TO our left. The rebels
held the ground occupied the day before by
Carr's Division. They soon answered our fire,
and the air was alive with shot and shell from
six batteries. Our little 4gun battery did its
best and FOR more than an hour held its ground.
All this time the rest OF our artillery and ia
fantry were being massed on a commanding
ridge little 10 the left aud rear of our brigade.
When all was ready we We're ordered back out
OF range. Then the storm broke, and the
very earth trembled under the terrible crash
Of more than 100 guns. have since heard
heavier firing bat none ever seemed so ter
rible.
We soon began TO dcploy our line, and never
can j forget the inspiring sight of that long
line of bluecoats advancing over the open
ground TO the last grand charge. The sputter
of the skirmishers was drowned in the crash
ing volleys ms the line became engaged, and
with ringing cheers we drove the enemy from
their strong positions until, as Van Dorm said
in his report he withdrew his entire army, aud
Pea Ridge was won.
How We made the old woods ring when our
gallant Curtis, with his gray head barred to the
breeze, rode down the line shouting, "Hurrah,
boys, The victory is oursw and the Adjutant OF
the l2th No., trailing rebel flag behind him.
exclaimed see vat dem tam lop cared Dutch
mans do; dey capture de patteryw -"oLD
BRUIE," Go. i, S7th H., Walton, Mich.